Investigations
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13020 — closed, opened 2013-06-06 and involving the HONDA ODYSSEY.
NHTSA investigation PE13020 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-06-06 and currently closed. The subject of record is HONDA ODYSSEY, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2014-01-06 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE13020 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The investigation was opened based on reports of frontal air bag inadvertent deployments (ABIDs) on model year (MY) 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles. In its response dated September 20, 2013, Honda indicated that the MY..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related HONDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The investigation was opened based on reports of frontal air bag inadvertent deployments (ABIDs) on model year (MY) 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles. In its response dated September 20, 2013, Honda indicated that the MY 2003 Acura MDX vehicles use a SRS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which contains the same electrical component (an ASIC chip) as the Odyssey, and has a similar vehicle electrical system architecture. Through inspection and analysis of field returned vehicles and components, Honda determined that the SRS ECUs used in the Odyssey and MDX can degrade over time and result in the deployment of either the driver and/or the passenger frontal air bags. The deployment occurs without a crash or impact, and may occur while the vehicle is being operated on the roadway. Honda’s analysis determined that, when actuated, the electric power door lock circuitry on both the Odyssey and MDX produces high levels of electrical noise. The electrical noise, which is transmitted to the SRS ECU via harnessing, may cause damage to the ASIC chip. Cumulative damage to the ASIC chip results in an inadvertent deployment event. A similar defect issue was investigated under Engineering Analysis (EA) 12-001, which led to recalls 12V-527 and 13V-040, and to recall 13V-029. In total, ODI is aware of 25 frontal ABIDs on the Odyssey vehicle and another three ABIDs on the MDX vehicles (data as of August 01, 2013). Consistent with findings in EA12-001, the failure data indicated an increasing incident trend with several of the incidents occurring in recent years. The incidents resulted in 9 alleged injuries consisting of burns, cuts and bruises to the upper body region; there were no reports of control loss or vehicle crashes. Some owners noted an air bag warning light and/or chime activated just seconds prior to the air bag deployment while others stated that they did not observe either. ODI notes that Honda also reported ABIDs of non-frontal, side torso and curtain air bags in its submissi
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other HONDA Investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.